A Technical Dictionary of Fire Insurance

Produced by a British fire insurance company founded in 1680, this dictionary provides an overview of the different fire risks that may be commonly encountered. Written by an insurance company inspector, this publication would have been seen as improving the company’s public image. Contemporary reviews of the dictionary praise it for filling an important niche in technical literature and being highly accurate. The Journal of the Franklin Institute saw the value of this work extending beyond the insurance agents to “The mechanic, chemist and manufacturer” who could learn to avoid risk and operate more safely. Much like the Sanborn fire insurance maps, this seemingly limited technical resource can provide unique insight into 19th century industry and business.